Camping expert makes outdoor adventures accessible

The campsite reservations are made. The kids can’t wait to roast marshmallows and throw rocks in the creek. Even the dog is excited to chase sticks and the occasional deer. But as the trip approaches, your apprehension increases. What should we pack? What should we eat? And is it really camping if my gear fills the entire back-half of my SUV instead of just my backpack?

Gunbarrel resident and camping expert Dawn Bitz doesn’t want you to worry. In fact, the whole reason she founded GH Outdoor Inc., and its lifestyle brand Grasshaven, is to make camping accessible to everyone.

“As long as you’re getting outside and you’re away from your house and a hotel, then you’re camping,” Bitz said. “You don’t have to be backpacking and five miles in and climbing fourteeners. There are all sorts of great cabins and yurts and teepees and RVs, or just a tent with a great inflatable mattress. It’s okay to camp the way you want to camp. Just get outside and enjoy the outdoors with your family and friends.”

Through GH Outdoor Inc., Bitz offers new and experienced campers the products, tools and advice they need to curb anxiety and make this summer’s camping trip the best yet. “A little pre-thought and pre-planning makes spontaneity easy,” Bitz said.

What to Pack.

Bitz’s go-to strategy is to stash everything in plastic tubs because they are easy to store in the house and put straight into the car. Keep an itemized list on the top of each bin, and retain one bin for the items you reuse, such as toilet paper, aluminum foil, and salt and pepper. That way you’re only updating one bin after each trip.

Setting Up Camp.

Not only do the pre-labeled bins help with packing, says Bitz, but they make setting up camp a breeze, as you know where each of your supplies is located. In addition, give everyone a job. “We pre-assign all the chores, even for the little ones. Not only does this reduce work for mom and dad, but it gets everyone engaged in the activity,” Bitz said. For example, children can tie ribbons or flags to the guy-wires from a sunshade or tent to increase visibility and prevent tripping.

Food Focus.

“Everyone centers around the campfire and the cooking experience. And food always tastes better when you’re outdoors,” Bitz said. Since space is at a premium on a camping trip, plan meals ahead of time so that ingredients from one meal can be used to make another. Leftover steak and potatoes from dinner can make really great breakfast burritos or a frittata. In addition, great cheese and fresh herbs are easy to pack and can really up the epicurean experience.

Campsite Fun.

Walkie talkie tag is Bitz’s favorite campground game, as it enable parents to stay in touch with kids as they explore. Bring reusable LED wrist bands or glow in the dark necklaces so you can easily spot your kids in the dark. Finally, the evening wouldn’t be complete without glow in the dark playing cards and the YayLabs! ice cream ball for making dessert, both sold by Grasshaven.

Dog, too.

Since dogs generally have to be on leashes in campgrounds, Bitz suggests stringing a line between the branches of two trees and dropping the leashes down. “There’s less fear of the leashes getting in the campfire or tangled in chairs and tents.” And while you’re at it, Bitz suggests, throw an LED light on the dog, too.

Though Bitz recently closed the Gunbarrel location of Grasshaven, she continues to sell her camping products in 23 RV dealerships from New Hampshire to Oregon and through her website, grasshavenoutdoor.com. While Bitz works to secure a new Boulder retail location, local shoppers are invited to visit the Grasshaven warehouse at 6655 Arapahoe Rd., Suite 1, in Boulder.